#1
چو زین آگهی شد به فغفور چین
✦
که با فر مردی ز ایران زمین
“When the Emperor of China learned that a glorious man had come from the land of Iran,”
#2
به نزدیک شنگل فرستاده بود
✦
همانا ز ایران تهم‌زاده بود
“And had been sent as an envoy to Shangal, being truly a brave knight of Iranian birth,”
#3
بدو داد شنگل یکی دخترش
✦
که بر ماه ساید همی افسرش
“To whom Shangal had given his own daughter, whose crown reached up to touch the moon,”
#4
یکی نامه نزدیک بهرامشاه
✦
نوشت آن جهاندار با دستگاه
“That powerful and glorious ruler wrote a letter to King Bahram.”
#5
به عنوان بر از شهریار جهان
✦
سر نامداران و شاه مهان
“Upon its title he wrote: 'From the Sovereign of the World, leader of the renowned and king of kings,”
#6
به نزد فرستادهٔ پارسی
✦
که آمد به قنوج با یار سی
“To the envoy of Persian lineage, who arrived in Kannauj with thirty companions.'”
#7
دگر گفت کامد بما آگهی
✦
ز تو نامور مرد با فرهی
“He further wrote: 'Word has reached us concerning you, O illustrious and glorious man,”
#8
خردمندی و مردی و رای تو
✦
فشرده به هرجای بر پای تو
“Of your wisdom, valor, and sound judgment, and how steadfastly you tread in every place;”
#9
کجا کرگ و آن نامور اژدها
✦
ز شمشیر تیزت نیامد رها
“How neither the furious rhino nor that famous dragon escaped your sharp sword.”
#10
بتو داد دختر که پیوند ماست
✦
که هندوستان خاک او را بهاست
“Shangal gave you his daughter, our kinswoman, for whose worth all Hindustan is but tribute.”
#11
سر خویش را بردی اندر هوا
✦
به پیوند این شاه فرمانروا
“You have raised your head high to the heavens through alliance with this ruling monarch.”
#12
به ایران بزرگیست این شاه را
✦
کجا کهترش افسر ماه را
“This king holds such greatness in Iran that his lowliest servant touches the moon's crown!”
#13
به دستوری شاه در بر گرفت
✦
به قنوج شد یار دیگر گرفت
“With the king's permission he took her to his heart, went to Kannauj and embraced a new companion.”
#14
کنون رنج بردار و ایدر بیای
✦
بدین مرز چندانک باید به پای
“Now undertake the journey and come hither; abide in this realm as long as you desire.”
#15
به دیدار تو چشم روشن کنیم
✦
روان را ز رای تو جوشن کنیم
“We shall brighten our eyes with your sight, and fortify our spirit with your wise counsel.”
#16
چو خواهی که ز ایدر شوی باز جای
✦
زمانی نگویم بر من بپای
“And when you wish to return home from here, I shall not detain you even for a moment.”
#17
برو شاد با خلعت و خواسته
✦
خود و نامداران آراسته
“Depart in joy with robes of honor and treasure, yourself and your noble companions splendidly arrayed.”
#18
ترا آمدن پیش من ننگ نیست
✦
چو با شاه ایران مرا جنگ نیست
“It is no dishonor for you to appear before me, since I harbor no strife against the King of Iran.'”
#19
مکن سستی از آمدن هیچ رای
✦
چو خواهی که برگردی ایدر مپای
“Hesitate not in your resolve to come, and when you wish to depart, stay not here.”
#20
چو نامه بیامد به بهرام گور
✦
به دلش اندر افتاد زان نامه شور
“When the letter reached Bahram Gur, a surge of fiery pride stirred within his heart.”
#21
نویسنده بر خواند و پاسخ نوشت
✦
به پالیز کین بر درختی بکشت
“The scribe read it aloud and wrote the answer; in the garden of vengeance he planted a new tree.”
#22
سر نامه گفت آنچ گفتی رسید
✦
دو چشم تو جز کشور چین ندید
“He opened his reply: 'All that you said has arrived; yet your eyes have seen nothing beyond China.”
#23
به عنوان بر از پادشاه جهان
✦
نوشتی سرافراز و تاج مهان
“In the heading you wrote: "From the Sovereign of the World, exalted ruler and crown of the great."”
#24
جز آن بد که گفتی سراسر سخن
✦
بزرگی نو را نخواهم کهن
“Save for that, your words were altogether flawed; I desire no novel greatness to replace the ancient.”
#25
شهنشاه بهرام گورست و بس
✦
چنو در زمانه ندانیم کس
“The true Shahanshah is Bahram Gur alone! We know of none like him in all the realm of time.”
#26
به مردی و دانش به فر و نژاد
✦
چنو پادشا کس ندارد به یاد
“In courage, wisdom, divine grace, and noble birth, no one remembers a sovereign like him.”
#27
جهاندار پیروزگر خواندش
✦
ز شاهان سرافرازتر خواندش
“The victorious Creator of the world has proclaimed him king, raising him far higher than all other monarchs.”
#28
دگر آنک گفتی که من کرده‌ام
✦
به هندوستان رنجها برده‌ام
“Furthermore, concerning your statement that "I have achieved deeds and endured hardships in Hindustan,"”
#29
همان اختر شاه بهرام بود
✦
که با فر و اورند و بانام بود
“Know that it was the blessed fortune of King Bahram—glorious, majestic, and renowned.”
#30
هنر نیز ز ایرانیانست و بس
✦
ندارند کرگ ژیان را به کس
“Excellence belongs to the Iranians alone; they count even a furious rhino as nothing!”
#31
همه یکدلانند و یزدان‌شناس
✦
به نیکی ندارند ز اختر سپاس
“They are all united in heart and know the Almighty; they attribute not their blessings to stars, but to God.”
#32
دگر آنک دختر به من داد شاه
✦
به مردی گرفتم چنین پیشگاه
“As for your remark that the King gave me his daughter: it was by my own chivalry that I attained such stature.”
#33
یکی پادشا بود شنگل بزرگ
✦
به مردی همی راند از میش گرگ
“Shangal was indeed a great monarch, who by his valor kept the wolf away from the flock.”
#34
چو با من سزا دید پیوند خویش
✦
به من داد شایسته فرزند خویش
“When he saw that an alliance with me was worthy, he bestowed upon me his worthy child.”
#35
دگر آنک گفتی که خیز ایدر آی
✦
به نیکی بباشم ترا رهنمای
“And as for your invitation saying: "Arise and come hither, that I may benevolently guide you,"”
#36
مرا شاه ایران فرستد به هند
✦
به چین آیم از بهر چینی پرند
“The King of Iran sends me to the realm of Ind; shall I turn aside to China merely for Chinese silk?”
#37
نباشد ز من بنده همداستان
✦
که رانم بدین گونه‌بر داستان
“It is not fitting for a loyal servant like me to consent to such a path or act upon such a tale.”
#38
دگر آنک گفتی که با خواسته
✦
به ایران فرستمت آراسته
“And as for your offer to send me back to Iran, richly adorned with bountiful treasures...”
#39
مرا کرد یزدان ازان بی‌نیاز
✦
به چیز کسان دست کردن دراز
“God Almighty has rendered me far above stretching out my hand in greed toward the riches of others.”
#40
ز بهرام دارم به بخشش سپاس
✦
نیایش کنم روز و شب در سه پاس
“I am deeply grateful to Bahram for his generosity, and I pray for him day and night throughout all three watches.”
#41
چهارم سخن گر ستودی مرا
✦
هنر ز آنچ برتر فزودی مرا
“Fourthly, as to how you praised my worth and magnified my virtue beyond what I truly possess...”
#42
پذیرفتم این از تو ای شاه چین
✦
بگوییم با شاه ایران زمین
“I accept this compliment from you, O King of China, and shall recount your praised words to the King of Iran.”
#43
ز یزدان ترا باد چندان درود
✦
که آن را نداند فلک تار و پود
“May God bestow such blessings upon you that even the firmament cannot fathom their warp and weft.”
#44
بران نامه بنهاد مهر نگین
✦
فرستاد پاسخ سوی شاه چین
“He affixed the seal of his signet upon that letter, and dispatched the resolute reply unto the King of China.”